Prayer for November 18-24, 2018 

Sermon Text: 1 Samuel 1:1-20

That the blessings we receive will overflow to others

Listening God, how readily You hear the cries of those who pour out their hearts to You. You heed voices filled with grief and anguish. You recognize the echoes of shattered dreams. And you draw near!

You draw near in words of priestly blessing. You draw near in the loving touch of a friend, child, or spouse. You draw near in the hidden moments of our daily lives in order to do wonders for which we no longer hoped.

You remove the sadness from our faces. You straighten our posture. You enable us to move forward, in trust, even before there is any sign that You are answering our prayers.

Giver of hope, we rejoice in the ways You surprise us by your generosity. We rejoice in the myriad ways that You bless us. We rejoice that You enable us to worship You by dedicating what You give us to your service.      

Enable us to let the blessings You give overflow to bless many other lives. Amen.

Prayer for November 11-17, 2018 

Sermon Texts: Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17; Psalm 127; 1 Kings 17:7-16; Mark 12:38-44

That we may be your partners is sustaining the vulnerable

God of wonders, we rejoice that You care for the most vulnerable among us in ways that sometimes surpass our imagination. You provide abundance where resources are thin. You sustain life when death looms. You answer trust with your own amazing fidelity.

You sustain those who are displaced, oppressed and vulnerable. You bring hope to fruition. You enable generosity even where resources seem inadequate.

You undermine our ostentatious and self-serving actions by prophetic examples of self-giving trust, obedience and generosity.

Forgive us for our selfishness. Forgive us when we seek honor from others by acting in ways that only appear generous and faithful.  

Enable us to be partners, with You, in sustaining the vulnerable and bringing your presence, your resources, your fidelity, your healing, liberation and peace into their lives. As we act in trust, make us vulnerable enough to perceive and receive the gifts that You enable them to share. Amen.

Prayer for November 4-10, 2018 

Sermon Text: Ruth 1:1-22

That we may be welcoming companions of exiles and immigrants

God of all creatures, so many people are forced to leave their homes and migrate to other places because of famine, poverty, tragic loss, illness, persecution and war. A few, like Ruth, make difficult journeys as an act of commitment and love for other people. Though it is not always evident to us, and though some never find a permanent place to settle and call home, You travel with them.

We remember Israel in bondage and freedom. We remember that You intervened to end their slavery. We remember that You journeyed with them as they traveled home to a land that none of them had ever seen. We remember that You were companion, provider and protector. You made new life possible.

Enable us to walk in companionship and solidarity with those who have become exiles and immigrants, who wander and suffer and often find their way obstructed by those of us who have settled lives and abundant resources, but who allow fear to control our responses.  

Enable us to act as agents of your compassion, advocacy, and protection. Enable us to work for the healing of all nations so that fewer people will be displaced by unsettling events. Open our hearts wide for welcome. Amen.